Huge crowds turned out for a special Georgian Day celebration in Co Armagh this weekend.

Around 25,000 people celebrated the official countdown to Christmas in Armagh as the traditional Georgian Day celebrations got under way in the historic city.

The event was the largest-ever festival event to be held in Armagh. The annual extravaganza saw the city transformed into a seasonal winter wonderland.

One of the highlights at the family-fun event was the famous Georgian Day Light Show, ‘T’was the Light before Christmas’, at the city's iconic Market House. It brought the centuries-old building to life with a spectacular animated performance.

Throughout the day, more than 70 festive stalls had lined the city streets offering locally produced food, drinks and high quality gifts, while Georgian gentry strolled the cobbled streets and stallholders served customers in traditional Georgian outfits against a backdrop of Christmas music and entertainment from local singers.

Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, Darryn Causby, said: "Armagh’s annual Georgian Day event has been attracting record numbers of visitors to the city for more than a decade, and this year is no exception.

"We are delighted that so many people came to experience the magic and atmosphere of this thrilling event which is one of the highlights of the city's calendar of events.

"For many families, the Georgian Day celebrations mark the official countdown to Christmas and the atmosphere, activities and fun of this unrivalled event put all our visitors in the festive spirit with the magic of Christmas celebrated in traditional Georgian style."